• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SC Picture Project

The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

  • FIND A LANDMARK
    • BY CITY
    • BY COUNTY
    • BY CATEGORY
    • BYGONE LANDMARKS
  • ADD IMAGES
  • VOLUNTEER
  • SPONSORS
  • DONATE

Donalds Train Station

SC PICTURE PROJECT Leave a Comment

SC Picture Project / Abbeville County / Donalds Train Station

This train depot in Donalds served the Piedmont and Northern Railroad, commonly called the P&N, which began in nearby Greenwood in 1911. The P&N was chartered by Duke Power Company, which sought to encourage industrial growth in this part of the state.

Donald's Train Station

Bill Fitzpatrick of Taylors © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

A part of the “Great Electric System of the South,” the electric rail system connected with an electric trolley in Anderson and then traveled as far as Greenville and Spartanburg. The rail line finally reached Spartanburg in 1914. World War I interfered with further construction on the line.

Donalds Piedmont and Northern

Mark Elbrecht of Greenville, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The P&N primarily transported freight, though passenger service continued until 1951. The 1930s in particular saw a rise in freight transport on the P&N. In 1954 the freight service began using diesel, and the P&N ended all service in 1969. It became part of the Seaboard Coast Line in 1970. The railroad in Donalds is now an abandoned rail bed, and today the depot is used for storage by local Log Cabin Antiques. Below is a photo of the depot before the tracks were removed, though the date of the image is unknown.

Donalds Station Historic

University of South Carolina Digital Collections

Another Donalds depot now rests behind this one on private property, seen below. It served the Southern Railroad, which ran parallel to the P&N. The Southern depot was modified over the years and eventually relocated to a residential lot. From 1908 to 1939 the Due West Railway Company operated a 4.5-mile line from Donalds to Due West, utilizing the Southern Railroad depot.

Donalds Southern Depot

Mark Elbrecht of Greenville, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The short line was developed and supported by the residents of Due West and was primarily used to transport students to Erskine College and deliver the mail between the two towns on a train known as the “Little Dinky.” Its engine was purchased by the Manhattan Elevated Railway System in New York when the rail line ceased operations. Below are photos from the Southern Railroad depot before it was relocated, though the dates of the images are unknown.

Donalds Southern Depot Historic

University of South Carolina Digital Collections

Donalds Depot Rear Historical

University of South Carolina Digital Collections

Donalds Depot Historical

University of South Carolina Digital Collections

Donalds Train Depot

Ralph Hobson of Greenville, 2017 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Donalds Train Station Info


Address: SC Highway 184, Donalds, SC 29638
GPS Coordinates: 34.3782738,-82.3473148

Donalds Train Station Map



Take Me There

Plan Your Trip: Donalds Train Station

Where is Donalds Train Station located?
Address: South Carolina Highway 184, Donalds, SC 29638
GPS Coordinates: 34.3782738,-82.3473148
What else should I see?
Donalds United Methodist Church 0.1 mile
Donalds Grange No. 497 1.2 miles
Algary School 4.9 miles
Erskine College 6.7 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Donalds Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Trains & Depots
    Donalds Train Station Map

    Please Help Us Stay Online

    We’d like thank everyone who generously supports the South Carolina Picture Project. You provide us with the inspiration and financial support we need to keep doing what we do. Every reader’s contribution, larger or small, is valuable. If you have enjoyed this website or found it helpful, please pitch in. Each donation helps – and it only takes a minute. Thank you!

    Support the SC Picture Project!

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    You may also like

    You may also like

    Donalds GrangeDonalds Grange No. 497 Donalds UMCDonalds United Methodist Church

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FIND A LANDMARK

    Why This Site Matters

    Help Keep This Site Online

    We depend on the support of today’s readers to document South Carolina’s landmarks for future readers. Please help us continue this important work by making a donation below.

    $ 50.00
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Credit Card Info
    This is a secure SSL encrypted payment.

    Donation Total: $50.00

    Recent Posts

    • H.L. Hunley
    • Strand Theater
    • Camden Depot
    • Charleston City Marina
    • Secession Hill

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    Footer

    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

    CONTACT US

    We’d love to hear from you! Send us a quick email at share@scpictureproject.org.

    If you are looking for permission to use a photo, please reach out directly to the photographer listed in the image’s credit.

    JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

    The South Carolina Picture Project has two Facebook groups. One is dedicated to SC Historic Landmarks and Iconic Landscapes, and the other is dedicated to SC Nature and Wildlife.

    South Carolina Picture Project © 2022 · All Rights Reserved